Counter balance support

ABSTRACT

A mechanism for counterbalancing a cabinet lid for swinging movements about an independent, relatively spaced hinge support; the mechanism being characterized as producing substantially no frictional binding forces on the lid hinge support or forces tending to disconnect the mechanism from the lid, while the lid is in its normal closed position.

United States Patent y [191 Little [451' July 17, 1973 [54] COUNTER BALANCE SUPPORT 777,449 2/1968 canada 16/190 1,144,619 2/1963 Germany I6/l9O [75] Inventor. Carl H. Little, Jamestown, N.Y. 1,293,647 4/1969 Germany C I 16H90 [73] Assignee: Weber-Knapp Company, 784,406 5/1968 Canada 16/ 190 Jamestown, N.Y.

[22] Filed N0V- 17, 1971 Primary Examiner-Bemard A. Gelak [2l] Appl' Na: 199,583 Assistant Examiner- Peter A. Aschenbrenner Attorney-John B. Bean, Edwin T. Bean et al.

[52] U.S. Cl 16/190, 16/1 C, 16/49 [51] .E05f1/12 [58] Field of Search 16/190, 185 H, 142, [57] ABSTRACT 16/145, 85, 82, 80 A mechanism for counterbalancing a cabinet lid for [56] References Cted swinging movements about an independent, relatively UNITED STATES PATENTS spaced hinge support; the mechanism being character- 3,187,374 6/1965 Lundell 16/190 ized as producing substantially no frictional binding 389,450 9/ 1888 Devore et a1. 16/ 190 forceson the lid hinge support or forces tending to dis 3,452,388 7/ 1969 Stone t 16/190 connect the mechanism from the lid, while the lid is in 2,224,444 12/1940 Muffin 16/190 its normal closed position,

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 772,845 12/1967 Canada 16/190 7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures A. i (12 [6@ T mf, /2 T2 \\\\l \V7 v ff i I 777 ig'. "j Y H 1, 62 i 01 2 l .f 4 lfefs ,4* r [i gi /t (2 /I PATENTEDJUU 11m 745.508

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a away" v TTOPN S BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Heretofore, it has been common practice to employ spring biased, scissor type mechanisms to counter balance the weight of vertically swinging lids, particularly where it is desired to support the lid by conventional barrel or like hinges, which do not comprise a part of the counter balance mechanism. These mechanisms have the advantage of being mounted within the cabinet in order to preserve its aesthetic appearance. However, these mechanisms usually suffer from the disadvantage that when the lid is in its normal closed position, a significant portion of the counter balancing spring force acts to produce friction binding of the lid hinge pin and tends to loosen screws or other fasteners employed to connect the lid to the counter balance mechanism and/or the lid hinge to the cabinet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed towards an improved mechanism for counter balancing the weight of vertically swinging cabinet lids of the type wherein the lid hinge is separate and spaced from the mechanism. More specifically, the present invention features the provision of a tiltable glide for interconnecting the counter balance mechanism with the lid, such that substantially all counter balance spring forces act perpendicular to the lid when in closed position, thereby essentially no spring force acts through the lid hinge pin or applies shear forces on the fasteners connecting the lid to the mechanism.

DRAWINGS The nature and mode of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. l is a side elevational view of the counter balance mechanism of the present invention showing it in association with a cabinet lid; y

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the lid in open position; and

FIG. S is a sectional view taken generally along line 5-5 in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Now referring particularly to the drawings, it will be understood that the counter balance mechanism of the present invention is generally designated as l0. Mechanism is employed to counter balance the weight of a lid 12, which is supported` on a cabinet l4 for vertically swinging movement upwardly from an essentially horizontal, cabinet opening closed position shown in FIGS. l and 3 by an independent lid hinge mechanism including a horizontally disposed hinge pin 16, shown only in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Mechanism l0 generally includes a stationary hinge part 18, which is suitably fixed to cabinet 14; a movable hinge part 20, which is supported for vertical swinging movement relative to hinge part 18 and thus cabinet 14 by a hinge pin 22 arranged essentially parallel to lid hinge pin 16; a counter balance spring mechanism 24, which is carried adjacent its opposite ends on hinge parts 18 and 20; and a guide device 26 for connecting lid l2 to hinge part 20 for conjunctive vertical swinging movement. Guide device 26 is fixedly mounted on lid l2 and movably mounted on or coupled to hinge part 20 in the manner to be described. In this connection, it will be understood that, since the lid and hinge part 20 swing about different axes, it is necessary for guide device 26 and hinge part 20 to undergo relative movement incident to or as such hinge part and the lid undergo conjunctive vertical swinging movement.

More specifically, by reference to FIGS. l, 2 and 3, it will be seen that hinge part 18 is of plural part construction including a generally L-shaped mounting flange 30 and a generally U-shaped hinge flange 32 for mounting opposite ends of hinge pin 22. Flange 30 is shown as having vertically and horizontally disposed flange portions 36 and 38; flange portion 36 being fonned with apertures 40 to receive cabinet mounting fasteners, not shown, and flange portion 38 being weld or otherwise fixed to hinge flange 32.

Movable hinge part 20 is shown in the drawings as being of elongated, generally U-shaped construction including a pair of parallel leg portions 42 and 44, which are formed adjacent one end thereof with aligned apertures to receive hinge pin 22 and adjacent an opposite end thereof with outtumed, aligned guide rails 42a and 44a; and a connecting portion 46, which is formed with an upstanding mounting flange portion 48 having a through opening 50. A retaining pin 52, which is carried adjacent its opposite ends by leg portions 42 and 44 is arranged to engage flange portion 48 in order to prevent deformation thereof, as a result of the spring force present in spring mechanism 24.

Spring mechanism 24 is shown as including a coil type compression spring 60, which is arranged concentrically of a bolt 62 and bears adjacent its opposite ends on an adjustment nut 64 and a washer 66. Washer 66 in turn bears on one end of a resiliently deformable, plastic brake shoe or sleeve 68, which is arranged concentrically of and in frictional engagement with bolt 62. The other end of shoe 68 is preferably rounded or conically shaped and arranged in engagement with the converging inner or bearing walls 70 of a through bored, cup shaped member 72, which is in turn movably received within mounting flange portion opening 50 thereby to positionally anchor or constrain one end of spring mechanism 24. As will be apparent from viewing FIG. 3, bolt 62 freely passes through member 72 and opening 50, such that it is freed for reciprocating and- /or rotary adjustment movements relative to movable hinge part 20. Slight vertical pivotal movement of bolt 62 relative to movable hinge part 20, as required to permit movements of the spring mechanism as the lid is moved between closed and open positions illustrated respectively in FIGS. 3 and 4, is permitted by tilting movement of memberl72 within opening 50.

The opposite end of spring mechanism 24 is positionally fixed to hinge flange 32 by freely or loosely fitting an end of bolt 62 within a bore opening 80 formed in a connector 82; the latter being pivotally mounted on hinge flange 32 by a pin shaft 84 arranged essentially parallel to hinge pin 22.

As will be apparent, adjustment nut 64 is threaded onto a relatively short thread portion 86 of bolt 62. Thus, adjustment nut 64, when constrained against rotational movement, may be moved lengthwise of threaded portion 86 upon rotation of bolt 62 in order to adjustably vary the extent to which spring 50 is initially compressed. Adjustment nut 64 may be so constrained by a manually manipulated tool, not shown, or by a guide means, also not shown, carried by connector 82 to extend parallel to and slideably engage bolt 62.

By referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be appreciated that spring 60 serves to continuously drive the rounded nose portion of shoe 68 into engagement with the converging inner walls of member 72 with the result that the inner wall surfaces of shoe 68 are squeezed radially inwardly into friction bearing contact with bolt 62. The snubbing or friction braking effect generated by friction between the shoe and bolt will be a function of the degree of compression of spring 60 and tend to oppose movement of the lid during both opening and closing movements thereof. A more detailed discussion of shoe 68 and its manner of operation may be had by referring to U.S. Pat. No. 3,187,374.

Glide device 26 is best shown in FIG. 5 as being of inverted U-shaped construction, including a connecting flange portion 90, which is suitably fixed via a mounting plate 92 to the under surface of lid l2; and a pair of leg flange portions 94 and 96, which carry facing U-shaped guide flanges 98 and 100, respectively, adjacent their free or lower ends. In the illustrated construction, guide flanges 98 and 100 serve to carry facing upper and lower convex or arcuate plastic guide blocks 98a, 98b and 100a, 100b, respectively. Guide blocks 98a and 100a are arranged for sliding engagement with the upper surfaces of guide rails 42a and 44a, respectively, and guide blocks 98b and 100b are arranged in close proximity with the lower surfaces of guide rails 42a and 44a, respectively. The spacing between the central or rounded apex portions of guide blocks 98a, 98b and 100a, 100b is such as to permit tilting of guide device 26 relative to guide rails 42a and 44a, as the guide device is moved lengthwise of the guide rails between the lid closed and lid open positions illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively. If desired, guide blocks 98a and 100a may be replaced by roller members.

The open and closed positions of the lid and mechanism l may be variously defined, depending on installation requirement. However, for purposes of illustration, the closed position of both is shown in FIG. 3 as being defined by engagement of the lid with the cabinet. The open position of mechanism l0 is shown in FIG. 4 as being defined by engagement of leg portion end surfaces 42b and 44b with a stop or rear edge portion 38a. The open position of lid 12 may be defined by forming guide rajls 42a and 44b with tabs 42e and 44e, which are arranged to engage tabs 98' and 100' of guide flanges 98 and 100, at the same time that or immediately after leg portion end surfaces 42b and 44b engage stop portion 38a. Engagement of guide blocks 98b and 100b With the under surfaces of rails 42a and 44a prevent separation of the lid from the mechanism.

By again referring to FIG. 3, it will be understood that the force of spring 60 always acts along its longitudinal axis, which essentially corresponds to the longitudinal axis of bolt 62, and that the frictional force caused by the snubbing effects of shoe 68 acts along these axes, but always in opposition to the direction of lid and mechanism movement. Therefore, the frictional force either adds to or substracts from the variable spring force. The sum of the spring and frictional forces act through the moment arm d, to produce initial torque T, when the lid is closed (FIG. 3), and through moment arm dl' to produce a final torque Tl' when the lid is open (FIG. 4). T, and Tl' bound opposite ends of a moment tending to swing hinge part 20 upwardly about hinge pin 22.

The tendency of hinge part 20 to move upwardly produces on glide device 26 a continuous, but variable force bounded by an initial force Fl in FIG. 3 and a final force F1' in FIG. 4, which are always perpendicular to rails 42a and 44a and act through the radius center of guide blocks 98a and 100a. Force F1 acting through initial moment arm d, and force F1' acting through final moment arm d2' define initial and final torques T, and T1', respectively, which act about lid hinge pin 16 in opposition to the gravity induced lid torque.

As will be apparent the moment bounded by Tl and T.' as well as the moment bounded by T, and T2' will have different valves during opening and closing movements of lid l2, due to the snubbing action of shoe 68, such that there is defined a counter balance envelope. When the lid torque curve falls within the envelope, the lid is balanced and prevented from coasting toward either of its open or closed positions. For most installations, it is preferable to pattern the counter balance envelope such that the lid torque curve is disposed relatively above the envelope during the last 10 to 15 of lid closing movement in order to permit gravity to maintain the lid in tightly closed position.

Where installation space allowances permit, it is preferable to position rails 42a and 44a such that they are parallel to lid l2 in lid closed position in order to permit Fl to normally act perpendicular to the lid, and therefore only produce a torque about the lid hinge axis. Slight divergence of rails 42a and 44a from a parallel relationship with the lid, as required by the cramped spacing illustrated in FIG. 3, will result in there being produced only a small force vector parallel to the lid, which is negligible. While a force vector will be produced parallel to the lid during movements of the lid into open position, as will be apparent from viewing FIG. 4, such force vector will still .be relatively small when compared to the perpendicular force vector of F1 and will not produce undesired binding of hinge pin 16 or produce excessive shear force, tending to weaken vthe connection between lid 12 and mounting plate 92.

Moreover, since for most installations the lid will normally be disposed in its closed position, the period of time during which the lid is subjected to higher than negligible forces will be relatively small, thereby extending the overall operational life of the unit.

As will be apparent, the above described mechanism may be modified, if desired, by fixedly mounting the guide device on the movable hinge part and mounting guide rails on the underside of the lid.

I claim: i

l. A counter balance mechanism for use in combina` tion with a lid supported on a cabinet for vertical swinging movement about an essentially horizontally disposed first hinge axis between closed and open positions, said mechanism including:

a pair of hinge parts, a first of said hinge parts being fixed to said cabinet;l

hinge pin means for joining a second of said hinge parts to said first hinge part for vertical swinging movement relative thereto about a second hinge axis disposed in a spaced essentially parallel relationship to said first hinge axis;

a guide device for connecting said lid to said second hinge part for conjunctive vertical swinging movement, said guide device being fixedly mounted on one of said second hinge part and said lid and being coupled to the other of said second hinge part and said lid for movement relative thereto incident to said conjunctive movement;

spring means;

coupling means fixing opposite ends of said spring means one relative to each of said first and second hinge parts thereby establishing a first moment tending to continuously bias said second hinge part in upwardly directed vertical swinging movement about said second hinge axis, said first moment establishing a force transmitted by said guide device from said second hinge part to said lid thereby establishing a second moment tending to continuously bias said lid in upwardly directed vertical swinging movement about said first hinge axis whereby to counter balance at least a substantial portion of the torque effects of gravity on said lid throughout substantially the whole of the swinging movement thereof, said force being directed relative to said lid when said lid is in closed position such that a component of said force normal to said lid is substantially in excess of any component of said force parallel to said lid.

2. A mechanism according to claim l, wherein said spring means includes a compression spring and friction means for dampening swinging movement of said second hinge part and thereby said lid as a function of spring compression variations of said spring incident to second hinge part positional changes, said friction means opposing said spring during vertical upward movements of Asaid lid and cooperating with said spring during vertical downward movements of said lid to establish said first moment.

3. A mechanism according to claim l, wherein said spring means includes a compression spring and friction means; said coupling means includes a connector having a bore opening, pin means extending essentially transversely of said bore opening for coupling said connector to said first hinge part for pivotal movement about an axis essentially parallel to said first and second hinge axes, an apertured member defining a converging bearing surface, means for positionally mounting said apertured member relative to said second hinge part, a bolt having one end extending freely through said apertured member and having another end rotatably supported within said bore opening, and a plate threadably carried by said bolt adjacent said other end thereof whereby to permit adjustments of said plate lengthwise of said bolt towards and away from said connector; said friction means is resiliently deformable and arranged in frictional engagement with said bolt intermediate said apertured member and said plate; and said compression spring is arranged essentially concentrically of said bolt to bear adjacent opposite ends thereof on said plate and said friction means whereby adjustments of said plate varies compression of said compression spring and whereby said friction means is biased by said compression spring into engagement with said converging bearing surface and thereby into frictional engagement withsaid rod.

4. A mechanism according to claim l, wherein said other of said second hinge part and said lid defines rail means and said guide device is movable lengthwise of and tiltable relative to said rail means whereby permitting movements of said lid relative to said second hinge part.

5. A mechanism according to claim 4, wherein said rail means is defined by said second hinge part, said guide device is fixed to said lid at a point remote from said first hinge axis, and said rail means is arranged essentially parallel to said lid at least adjacent said point when said lid is in closed position.

6. A mechanism according to claim 5, wherein said second-hinge part includes a pair of elongated essentially parallel leg portions, said leg portions having aligned openings adjacent first ends thereof for receiving said hinge pin means and defining adjacent second ends thereof a pair of relatively outturned and aligned rails, said guide device is of inverted generally U- shaped construction having a connecting portion fixed relative to said lid and a pair of depending legs, said legs being associated one with each of said rails, and each of said legs having a pair of upper and lower guide means arranged to engage relatively upper and lower surfaces of its associated rail.

7. A mechanism according to claim 6, wherein each pair of said guide means has facing convex rail engag- It Ik Ik 

1. A counter balance mechanism for use in combination with a lid supported on a cabinet for vertical swinging movement about an essentially horizontally disposed first hinge axis between closed and open positions, said mechanism including: a pair of hinge parts, a first of said hinge parts being fixed to said cabinet; hinge pin means for joining a second of said hinge parts to said first hinge part for vertical swinging movement relative thereto about a second hinge axis disposed in a spaced essentially parallel relationship to said first hinge axis; a guide device for connecting said lid to said second hinge part for conjunctive vertical swinging movement, said guide device being fixedly mounted on one of said second hinge part and said lid and being coupled to the other of said second hinge part and said lid for movement relative thereto incident to said conjunctive movement; spring means; coupling means fixing opposite ends of said spring means one relative to each of said first and second hinge parts thereby establishing a first moment tending to continuously bias said second hinge part in upwardly directed vertical swinging movement about said second hinge axis, said first moment establishing a force transmitted by said guide device from said second hinge part to said lid thereby establishing a second moment tending to continuously bias said lid in upwardly directed vertical swinging movement about said first hinge axis whereby to counter balance at lEast a substantial portion of the torque effects of gravity on said lid throughout substantially the whole of the swinging movement thereof, said force being directed relative to said lid when said lid is in closed position such that a component of said force normal to said lid is substantially in excess of any component of said force parallel to said lid.
 2. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said spring means includes a compression spring and friction means for dampening swinging movement of said second hinge part and thereby said lid as a function of spring compression variations of said spring incident to second hinge part positional changes, said friction means opposing said spring during vertical upward movements of said lid and cooperating with said spring during vertical downward movements of said lid to establish said first moment.
 3. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said spring means includes a compression spring and friction means; said coupling means includes a connector having a bore opening, pin means extending essentially transversely of said bore opening for coupling said connector to said first hinge part for pivotal movement about an axis essentially parallel to said first and second hinge axes, an apertured member defining a converging bearing surface, means for positionally mounting said apertured member relative to said second hinge part, a bolt having one end extending freely through said apertured member and having another end rotatably supported within said bore opening, and a plate threadably carried by said bolt adjacent said other end thereof whereby to permit adjustments of said plate lengthwise of said bolt towards and away from said connector; said friction means is resiliently deformable and arranged in frictional engagement with said bolt intermediate said apertured member and said plate; and said compression spring is arranged essentially concentrically of said bolt to bear adjacent opposite ends thereof on said plate and said friction means whereby adjustments of said plate varies compression of said compression spring and whereby said friction means is biased by said compression spring into engagement with said converging bearing surface and thereby into frictional engagement with said rod.
 4. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said other of said second hinge part and said lid defines rail means and said guide device is movable lengthwise of and tiltable relative to said rail means whereby permitting movements of said lid relative to said second hinge part.
 5. A mechanism according to claim 4, wherein said rail means is defined by said second hinge part, said guide device is fixed to said lid at a point remote from said first hinge axis, and said rail means is arranged essentially parallel to said lid at least adjacent said point when said lid is in closed position.
 6. A mechanism according to claim 5, wherein said second hinge part includes a pair of elongated essentially parallel leg portions, said leg portions having aligned openings adjacent first ends thereof for receiving said hinge pin means and defining adjacent second ends thereof a pair of relatively outturned and aligned rails, said guide device is of inverted generally U-shaped construction having a connecting portion fixed relative to said lid and a pair of depending legs, said legs being associated one with each of said rails, and each of said legs having a pair of upper and lower guide means arranged to engage relatively upper and lower surfaces of its associated rail.
 7. A mechanism according to claim 6, wherein each pair of said guide means has facing convex rail engaging surfaces. 